The original Runaways team consisted of the children of The Pride (a team of evil villains in the Marvel universe). When the kids realized that their parents were the bad guys, they did what kids to best – rebelled against their parents. Of course, in this instance, it had to mean becoming a team of superheroes. The kids went up against, and killed, their parents.

Dead End Kids covers issues 25 through 30 of the series – the selection that Joss Whedon had written. In this part of the series, in an attempt to escape Kingpin, the kids accidentally transport themselves to 1907. Unfortunately, the trip has completely depleted the power source of the device that got them there in the first place. In this new time, they meet other kids with powers (“Wonders” as they are called), a few new foes, and a couple of members of The Pride – before those two members are killed. (That’s the funny thing with time travel, and all.) And the question on the kids’ minds is, how will they be able to get back to their own time?

I do love Joss’ stuff. I really do. That man is brilliant, and I love the stories he tells. He could tell a story about a slug, and I’m sure I would still find it completely captivating. The illustrator, Michael Ryan, has illustrated series from both DC and Marvel, and his stuff is gorgeous. (Check out some of his illustrations at ComicVine.com.) I have spent so much time the past few days just staring at the pictures in the book, and have no doubt that I will pull it out often in the future just to look at the prettiness!

I hadn’t read any of the Runaways issues before this one. I’m going to have to go back and find them, especially as I’ve heard that they may be adapting the series into a movie. Plus, they are a lot of fun. That said, I wasn’t lost as to what was going on. It explains a little bit at the beginning, but I had also done a bit of research on Wikipedia beforehand.

Overall, this was a fabulous volume and one I will revisit quite often.